ICP-OES

Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometer

The Analytical Services Unit currently operate a Vista Pro-axial CCD spectrometer from Agilent (formerly Varian). This instrument is used for the simultaneous determination of metals and other elements in matrices such as soil, water, plants/tissue and paint. The instrument is equipped with a SPS-5 autosampler for rapid sample throughput.

The use of wavelength switching and the inherent sensitivity of the instrument means that samples can be analysed for components from ppb to percent levels with little or no need for dilution. Up to in excess of 30 elements can be measured in a sample within a few minutes.Sample preparation is required to get the analytes into a solution. This is often achieved by the use of strong acids.

Screenshot of the ICP Expert I software

The instrument uses ICP Expert I software which is flexible and allows easy worksheet creation. The system when interfaced with a suitable autosampler is fully automated and can be used for after hours analysis. The after hours feature considerably increases the number of samples which can be analyzed in a day..

With CETAC Ultrasonic Nebulizer

U5000AT+

The ASU operates a cetac ultrasonic nebulizer for water samples. With careful sample preperation, the detection limits for certain analytes can be decreased by orders of magnitude lower than with a standard pneumatic nebulizer. This attachment removes the requirement for sample concentration which is time consuming and minimizes the possibility of sample contamination.

Detection LimitsDetection limits obtained with the U5000AT+ on ICP-AES are listed below for axial ICP torch configurations. Detection limits are improved in a range of 5 to 25 times, depending upon the analyte.